NAPLES REAL ESTATE VOICE

THE EXPANDED HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

Friday, January 8th, 2010 at 6:33pm. 147 Views, 0 Comments.

The Homebuyer Tax Credit has created a lot of buzz since becomming law and now the extended or Expanded Tax Credit could help to cure the winter blues for many first time home buyers.

Ken Trepeta the Director of Real Estate Services at RISMEDIA, the leader in real estate information systems, yesterday wrote a very informative article detailing the expanded home buyer tax credit. For those considering buying a home for the first time, it is well worth investigating, but time is of the essence because a binding contract must be written by 30 April, 2010 and it must be closed by 1 July, 2010.

The article can be found by clicking HERE.

SALES CONTINUE TO SURGE

Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 6:52pm. 112 Views, 0 Comments.

The Fall sales Market Data Report showed a surge in sales from the same period one year ago that is continuing as we begin to get into 'high season'.

Overall pending sales showed an increase of over 100% again compared to the same period last year. Leading the way, as it has for many months was the $300,00 and under segment of the market. Yet from $300,000 to $500,000 sales increased by 150%. The available inventory showed a decrease of 14% and moved under the 10,000 level, something not seen in several years.

The market is driven by savy buyers moving back in, as well as the fact that the sellers realize that the only way that their properties will sell is if they aggresively price them at or below current market values.

To see the current Market Data…

MAKING FLORIDA YOUR DOMICILE

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 at 8:40pm. 78 Views, 0 Comments.

Depending on the state you are from and if you own a second property in Naples, Florida, it might be well worth investigating the possibility of establishing your domicile in Florida for the purpose of reducing or totally eliminating income and estate taxes. Enhancing that position, the State of Florida has eliminated the Florida estate tax and repealed the intangible tax on stocks and bonds.

Retirees who have substantial securities portfolios have benefited from the 15% income tax on capital gains, as well as stock dividends. To contrast that, if you were living in the State of New York, both dividends and capital gains are subject to as high as a 7% income tax. The failure of a state like New York to give relief to its wealthier investors has forced many…

THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS: ALTERNATIVES AND CONSEQUENCES

Friday, January 1st, 2010 at 12:44pm. 197 Views, 0 Comments.

Will Dukes from our own Summit Mortgage Company here in Naples, sent an email around to real estate agents about foreclosures, short sales and deeds-in-lieu. His email included an article written by a prominent Naples attorney on the subject.

There has been much written about the three different subjects, and yet many of the buyers and sellers still know little about the process. As a realtor, I feel that the more we can help to educate the potential customers that are interested in the subject, the better off we will be.

The article will have blue highlighted areas that were added by Will Dukes.

You can view the articlke HERE.

JUST LISTED IN GATED WINDSTAR GOLF CLUB AND MARINA

Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 4:21pm. 225 Views, 0 Comments.

Exclusively yours...Don't miss the opportunity to move right in to this light and bright turnkey highly desired corner condo with nothing to do but unpack your bags.

Tastfully furnished, the unit boasts custom wallpaper, tile on the diagonal, hardwood flooring, granite countertops, a custom wall unit, as well as custom drapes. The view from the lanai overlooks the pool and preserve area and makes for wonderful entertainment space.

Windstar is the only community of its type in Naples having a Tom Fazio designed championship golf course, a private beach and its own marina. Incredible

Windstar golf membership now available for just the annual dues of $8,000.

Windstar represents some of the best of naples real estate!

VANDERBILT BEACH AREA CONDO AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR LEASE

Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 9:12am. 153 Views, 0 Comments.

Priced to sell in Summerplace, being sold turnkey and Not a short sale! Simply adorable and tastefully re-done describes this fabulously located 2bedroom/2bath condominium residing across from the new Mercado complex and very near the beach. This unit features glass sliders on the large screened-in lanai, as well as wood flooring, ceramic tile on the diagonal and carpeted bedrooms. 

The kitchen has plenty of storage, as well as a breakfast area. The condo has a formal dining area and is adjacent to a large livingroom. The spacious master bedroom and bath completes the package with closets galore making it an extremely comfortable area. The carports were recently re-done and there is a large storage area attached.

The condo is available for lease January…

THINKING OF BUYING A FORECLOSED PROPERTY?

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at 1:34am. 81 Views, 0 Comments.

The lure of purchasing a 'short sale' or foreclosed property might seem highly compelling, but before considering such you might heed the old classic warning of Caveat Emptor or let the buyer beware. Because foreclosures are traditionally sold as-is, it is extremely important that you have done more than the usual due dilligence, especially here in South Florida. Known as R.E.O.s (Real Estate Owned), there can be many pitfalls that you need to avoid.

If you are purchasing at auction, it is imperative that you have inspected the property along with someone who is qualified to to render an opinion about the major equipment, such as the air conditioning unit(s). This sometimes can be extremely difficult becuses in many cases the power to the home has beenoff…

MORTGAGE RATES DROP TO RECORD LOWS LAST THURSDAY

Sunday, December 6th, 2009 at 10:58am. 84 Views, 0 Comments.

Freddy Mac published rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage on Thursday and those rates dropped to a record low of 4.71 percent fueled by a very aggressive government campaign to reduce the cost of borrowing money. The record low is since tracking began back in the early 70s.

The interesting thing is to see what happens this coming Spring when the money that the Federal Reserve has been pumping into securities that are mortgage backed runs out. That figure stands at $1.25 trillion and  the whole goal is to help make the homebuying experience more affordable, while propping up the housing market.

One might suggest that if you are in the market for a home and will be financing, you might not want to wait too long because the rates will not be staying at these…

FINALLY...MEDITERRA CLUBS WHERE THEY BELONG!

Saturday, December 5th, 2009 at 8:51am. 75 Views, 0 Comments.

It was nice to see that Mediterra's beach and golf clubs are finally in the hands of where they belong...theirs members!

Yesterday marked the end of a lengthy six month struggle as members finalized the purchase from the developer, financially strapped Bonita Bay Group. They are hoping to sell off all of their club and golf course holding as part of a restructuring plan to avoid bankruptcy.

The deal for Mediterra cost the members $6.8 million in cash and they assumed a $15 million in debt for the CDD (Community Development District) bond which the developer originally set up to cover the costs of the infrastructure, road and other costs for services. The members raised enough cash from the sale of golf, sports and social memberships to complete the…

HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT ADDED BENEFITS FOR ARMED FORCES

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 5:07am. 155 Views, 0 Comments.

The $8,000 homebuyer tax credit that was was set to expire at the end of November now has added benefits for our military. Anyone in the foreign service, intelligence service or a member of the armed services either on active duty or in for 90 days during any part of 2009, now will have until May 1st, 2011 to purchase a home.

An additional benefit for those who qualify is that the time of occupancy is waived. Normally the residence must be a principal residence for those using the tax credit and they must stay in the home for minium of three years before they sell, or the credit must be paid back. Qualified military personnel have that time frame waived if they sell in less than three years and move due to official business.

The National Association of…